A TEENAGER was raped in Warlingham as she was walking home from a night out in the early hours of Friday.

A TEENAGER was raped in Warlingham as she was walking home from a night out in the early hours of Friday.

The 19-year-old victim had been in Croydon with a group of friends but became separated from them in the Hillbury Road area as they made their way home between 12.30am and 1.30am.

Police said the victim was walking around the recreation ground near Maple Road when a man approached her from behind and raped her.

The suspect was described as white and around 5ft 11in tall, and he spoke with a local accent.

Detective Inspector Jackie Elkins said: “The group of girls had become separated and, although the victim is familiar with the area, she was walking around the park trying to find her friends when the suspect approached her from behind and raped her.

“I am urgently appealing for anyone who was in the Hillbury Road or Godstone Road areas in the early hours of Friday to come forward.

“Do you recall seeing a man matching the suspect’s description in that area at around 1am? We urgently need to speak to anyone who was in the vicinity of the recreation ground around 12.30am.

“The recreation ground was sealed off and thoroughly searched by scenes of crime officers and we will be carrying out house-to-house inquiries this evening (Friday).

“If anyone has any information which could help with our inquiries, then please get in touch.”